2011 Lexus LS 600h L Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Lexus LS overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Lexus LS, and includes Lexus LS safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

After substantial upgrades were made for 2010, Lexus makes minor modifications for 2011. Models with all-wheel drive no longer have a standard air suspension system, and the LS gets a new Smart Stop feature that automatically cuts the flow of power when the brake pedal and the accelerator are pressed the same time. That’s a bummer for you left-foot brake aficionados.

When choosing a 2011 Lexus LS, you must first decide if you want the hybrid-powered LS 600h L model or not, or whether your budget can even absorb its six-digit sticker price. Once that matter is resolved, and if you’ve elected to stick with the standard V8 engine, you need to choose between the LS 460 and the long-wheelbase LS 460 L models, and decide between rear- or all-wheel-drive systems. Each comes nicely equipped with standard luxury and technology features, but the LS 460 L adds more than just expansive levels of rear seat legroom. This model is equipped with a standard navigation system, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, power door and trunk closers, and intelligent high-beam headlights that automatically dim when traffic approaches.

If nothing less than the best Lexus LS will do, you’re buying the LS 600h L model. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, premium leather that covers more than just the seats, an Alcantara headliner, a Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system, and an Advanced Guidance Parking System that can automatically steer the LS into a parking space while you operate the brake and transmission. Other standard features for this model include attractive 19-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive air suspension system, front and rear park assist sensors, LED headlights, a wiper de-icer, and a Pre-Collision System with radar cruise control and the ability to determine if a collision is about to occur and prepare the onboard safety features for impact.

The LS 460 is available with most of the features that come standard on the long-wheelbase models. It can also be equipped with a Sport Package that makes the LS more fun to drive on favorite back roads, as well as an Advanced Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection technology. If you’ve chosen the AWD version, you can also get an adaptive air suspension with three driver selectable settings.

Upgrading to the LS 460 L paves the way to access rear seating packages that include such features as rear side window sunshades, dual-zone rear climate control with body temperature sensing, power rear seats with massage, a rear DVD entertainment system, a refrigerator, and more executive-class upgrades. The Sport Package is also offered on the LS 460 L, the adaptive air suspension is available with both rear- and all-wheel-drive, and this model’s Advanced Pre-Collision System also includes a Driver Attention Monitor System, Lane Keep Assist technology, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Since the LS 600h L is comprehensively equipped, the options list is short. The contents of the LS 460 L’s rear seating upgrade packages can also be installed in the hybrid model, but under Premium Package titles, and this model is available with the same Advanced Pre-Collision System as is optional on the LS 460 L. The LS 600h L is also exclusively available with an active stabilizer suspension system.

With 380 horsepower (357 horsepower with AWD), the LS 460 and LS 460 L offer smooth, refined, plentiful power from a standard 4.6-liter V8 engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission helps conserve fuel on the highway, allowing the LS to achieve fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. With AWD, the LS gets 23 mpg on the highway.

The hybridized LS 600h L pairs a 5.0-liter gasoline V8 engine with dual electric assist motors, a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, and regenerative brakes to produce a total of 438 horsepower and fuel economy estimates of 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The LS 600h L comes standard with all-wheel drive, is able to operate at low speeds on electric power alone, and receives a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating.

Like most luxury cars selling for more than $60,000, the 2011 Lexus LS is loaded with standard safety features. Dual front knee airbags, a reversing camera, Safety Connect telematics service that automatically contacts rescue personnel when the airbags deploy, and adaptive headlights that swivel to help see around turns at night are a few of the ways every LS 460 ensures safety. Additionally, the LS comes with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management technology that can tie the stability and traction control systems to the electric steering and throttle to help keep the LS on the road even if it seems as though the driver cannot.

As impressive as that sounds, more safety features can be added to the LS in the form of rear seat side airbags, a Lexus Pre-Collision System that uses radar cruise control to determine if a crash is about to occur and prepares safety systems for impact, and an Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) with pedestrian detection capability and, if someone steps into the LS 460’s path, automatic braking. Equip the LS 460 L or LS 600h L with APCS and the car also comes with driver inattentiveness monitoring and Lane Keep Assist technology.

The only crash-test data available for the Lexus LS comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which has evaluated the car in its offset frontal impact test and its rear-impact injury prevention test. In both assessments, the IIHS gave the 2011 LS its top rating of Good for occupant protection.

When it comes to reliability, there’s more good news, which is especially important given the sheer amount of technology that’s baked into the Lexus LS. Both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates expect the LS to provide owners with years of better than average dependability.

Despite its age relative to its primary competitors from Audi, BMW and Jaguar, and despite new competition from the less expensive Hyundai Equus, the Lexus LS remains a refined, durable, safe, and sensible choice when it comes to selecting a large luxury sedan. However, buyers in this class are frequently drawn to the shiniest and newest baubles on the showroom floor, so it shan’t be long before a completely redesigned Lexus LS hits the pavement.

By Christian Wardlaw